Vitamin b12

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Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Nutritional anemia is directly caused by a lack of sufficient quantities of all the nutrients mentioned here—iron, folic acid, and vitamin b12. This condition is common in older people, who often eat poorly and who may have absorption problems, and in people whose diet consists primarily of fast food and junk food. Some types of anemia develop not because of a lack of nutrients but because of a defect in the body's ability to produce hemoglobin, even if all the required raw materials are available.

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay. See book keywords and concepts

Research Highlights • One examination of a small group of patients with chronic tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss showed that 47% had a vitamin b12 deficiency. Doctors observed some improvements in 12 patients taking B12 supplementation (Shemesh et al, 1993). • A controlled clinical trial of patients with persistent tinnitus compared Western medicine (WM) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Control subjects received a prescribed oral WM (Valium, nicotinic acid, vitamin B, Lidocaine, etc.), and WM-TCM patients received the same medication along with TCM herbs.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

However, when applied to the American way of life-active, aggressive, busy, and extreme—pure vegetarianism does not provide enough protein and may cause iron and vitamin b12 deficiency. Also, a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products and is high in carbohydrates from wheat may cause problems for Americans who have allergies to milk proteins and inflammatory substances in wheat.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

It results from a deficiency of the substance that activates cyanocobalamin, which is part of vitamin b12. As a result, B12 cannot be utilized and the production of red blood cells in bone marrow ceases. Folate-deficiency anemia most often affects older adults and pregnant women; the need for folic acid is higher during pregnancy, in infancy, and in elderly people. Folate-deficiency anemia can develop very quickly, in a matter of weeks. A poor diet or absorption problems, such as occur in celiac disease, are likely causes of folic-acid deficiency. Stress also depletes folic acid.

Colloidal Minerals and Trace Elements: How to Restore the Body's Natural Vitality Marie-France Muller, M.D., N.D., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

It is one of the constituents of vitamin b12, which contains 4 percent cobalt, and aids in the formation of red blood cells. It also regulates the cerebral torus and aids circulation in this region. Although 1/10 meg daily (most often in the form of B12) is generally considered sufficient, a deficiency in this element may be the source of anemia, circulatory disorders, and migraines. Cobalt-manganese-copper is an effective combination, as is cobalt-copper-nickel.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Because vitamin b12 is found almost exclusively in foods of animal origin, vegetarians have a higher risk of developing this form of anemia. People with Crohn's disease and celiac disease, conditions that interfere with the absorption of vitamins from the intestinal tract, are at increased risk as well. In addition to the classic symptoms of anemia outlined above, symptoms of B12-deficiency anemia can include yellowish skin and, in some cases, abdominal pain, weight loss, tingling in the arms and legs, and neurological impairment resulting in disorientation and depression.

Attaining Medical Self Sufficiency Duncan Long See book keywords and concepts

The supplement provided vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin b12, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine in amounts determined by the Canadian government's recommended intakes; the supplements also contained 16 mg of beta-carotene and 44 mg of vitamin E, both amounts substantially higher than the current recommendations. At the end of the tests, the group getting supplements showed improvement in their immune functions.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Like B2 and B6, vitamin b12 plays a role in the immune function such that low levels can impair natural immunity. This vitamin may also have activity against viruses; in one laboratory study, B12 inhibited HIV viral replication in human monocytes and lymphocytes (Weinberg 1995). The best dietary sources are liver, red meat, eggs, dairy products, and seafood, but B12 is available in a wide range of pills, tablets, sublingual and nasal sprays, and can be taken by injection or intravenously.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

A person with Alzheimer's disease should take a B-complex supplement that supplies at least 25 milligrams of each of the primary B vitamins twice a day, plus an additional 500 micrograms of vitamin b12 three to four times daily. Although the oral form of B12 is acceptable, injections are more easily assimilated. Ask your doctor about weekly injections of vitamin B^2. ¦ Carnitine assists in the utilization of fats. When fats are digested more efficiently, nerve tissue stays healthier. Carnitine has been shown to have an impact on the attention span and may aid concentration.

The Super Anti-Oxidants: Why They Will Change the Face of Healthcare in the 21st Century James F. Balch, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Usually that happens in people who don't get enough folic acid, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin b12, which are needed to complete the conversion to cysteine. Too much homocysteine directly damages the artery and its endothelium. Abnormal homocysteine levels are found in about 40 percent of all patients with heart disease. The solution is to take 400 micrograms of folic acid, 100 milligrams of B6, and 1,000 micrograms of B12 each day. Low Antioxidant Levels Low antioxidant levels have consistently been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments Gary Null, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Anemia stemming from nutritional problems can be due to a shortage of iron, vitamin b12, or folic acid. Iron-rich foods include green, leafy vegetables, legumes, and vegetable juices. Good sources of B12 (a nutrient especially important for pregnant women) are fermented foods, such as soy products, tempeh, and yogurt. Folic acid can be obtained from orange juice, oatmeal, spinach, and beets. Good supplementary sources of iron include a product called Floradix, and bee pollen. B12 can be obtained from a B-complex vitamin, or from spirulina.

Eat Right, Live Longer: Using the Natural Power of Foods to Age-Proof Your Body Neal Barnard, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

An adequate intake of vitamin b12 is especially important for children, but it is important at all other phases of life, too. MAKING IT SIMPLE Most of us do not spend as much time cooking as our parents' generation did. For some us us, ten minutes in the kitchen is about all we can take. The recipes in rhe next section are designed to cook without much involvement from you once you get them started. Browse through them and see which ones you like. You'll find them surprisingly easy.

Some varieties, including Red Star Nutritional Yeast, are good sources of vitamin b12. • Reduce salt used in cooking by replacing it with herbs, spices, and other seasonings. A wide variety of salt-free seasoning mixes is available in supermarkets and natural food stores. • Most baking powder is high in sodium. A few low-sodium varieties, including Featherweight, are available in natural food stores and some supermarkets. Glossary of ingredients The majority of ingredients in the recipes are common and widely available in grocery stores.

Meats and other animal products contain vitamin b12 because bacteria produce it in the animals' intestines and it is then absorbed into their tissues. These foods are obviously not recommended due to their inherent fat and cholesterol and other problems. There is no reason to include animal products in your diet to get B]2. But do include a source of B12 in your regular diet. The recommended dietary allowance is minuscule—only two micrograms per day, and the body actually needs only about half that amount. At any given time, most people have about a three-year supply stored in their livers.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments Gary Null, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Low stomach acid can prevent the gastric mucosa from releasing sufficient intrinsic factor, a substance essential for the intestinal absorption of vitamin b12. This may result in pernicious anemia or in subclinical symptoms such as weakness, forgetfulness, and confusion. Acid indigestion is commonly experienced after indulging in a rich, fatty, or overabundant meal. There is just too much for the body to handle, especially if food is gulped down.

In addition, supplements of magnesium, vitamin b12, capsicum, and calcium can aid the body in its battle with parasites. Certain foods can actually heighten the possibility of parasitic infection, so avoid excessive dietary intake of these products; see the What to Avoid section, below. Other Treatment Modalities The weekly performance of colonics can aid in the prevention and treatment of parasitic infections because the cleansing of the bowels eliminates a potential breeding ground for microorganisms. Furthermore, colon therapy contributes to the fortification of the digestive system.

The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America Francois Couplan, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Comfrey contains vitamins (including vitamin b12), minerals, tannin, mucilage, alkaloids (including symphyto-cynoglossine), allantoin, choline, etc. The root also contains starch, sugars, asparagine and traces of essential oil. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey are potentially toxic, but they are present in small amounts and the occasional consumption of the plant does not seem to be dangerous, according to a survey conducted by the British Henry Dou-bleday Research Association (an organization of organic gardeners). However, large quantities of comfrey or daily intake should be avoided.

The Origin Diet: How Eating Like Our Stone Age Ancestors Will Maximize Your Health Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

Seniors also absorb vitamin b12 better in supplement form than from foods. That's not saying you should choose supplements over food. Most nutrients, such as iron, are much better absorbed from food (in this case from meat) than from supplements or fortified foods. Besides, fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods supply more than just vitamins and minerals. They are Mother Nature's best sources of fiber and thousands of phytochemicals that you can't get from supplements. The bottom line: Follow the Origin Diet and supplement responsibly. Here's how.

Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of NEW Natural Products that Will Help You Live Longer, Look Better, Stay Heathier, ... and Much More! Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

In fact, according to a study performed in The Netherlands, healthy people with lower blood levels of vitamin b12 don't perform as well on mental tests as people with higher levels. And it's not just older people in whom nutrient deficiencies can affect mental function; younger people are also vulnerable. For example, iron deficiency has been shown to lower the test scores of college students. Students at Penn State who were found to be deficient in iron took iron supplements for three months and significantly increased their test scores.

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems Bill Gottlieb See book keywords and concepts

Finally, since this disease may damage the area of the gut where vitamin b12 is absorbed, a supplement is a must for many people. IRON: Battling Anemia In his practice, Dr. Donovan finds that some people with Crohn's disease and most people with colitis have iron-deficiency anemia. The type of iron (ferrous sulfate) usually recommended for treating anemia, however, may worsen inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease, he says. For his patients with anemia, Dr.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments Gary Null, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Deficiencies of vitamin b12, which are often responsible for the onset of neuropathies, can be eliminated with intramuscular injections. Patients can receive injections of one milligram in their doctors' offices, and symptoms of neuropathy will disappear within several days. Many times blood tests do not provide adequate evidence that a B12 deficiency exists, and consequently, the patient is told that intramuscular injections are not needed. However, it is important to realize that there is not a direct correlation between the amount of B12 in the blood and that within the nerve cells.

Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide Arthur C. Upton, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

The lack of vitamin b12 has also been implicated as a contributing factor in some forms of Alzheimer's disease. A deficiency of vitamin Blt thiamine, causes peripheral nerve dysfunction, numbness in the hands and feet. Severe deficiency of this vitamin coupled with alcoholism causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurologic disorder characterized by severe memory loss and an inability to learn new information. A number of "health-food" advocates recommend megadoses of vitamin B6 to treat a variety of illnesses, from premenstrual syndrome to asthma to kidney stones.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments Gary Null, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

In addition to their valuable mineral content, sea vegetables also contain an ample quantity of other vital nutrients, including beta-carotene and vitamin b12. Since sea vegetables provide such a concentrated source of minerals, only a minimal quantity is necessary to eliminate a deficiency. In fact, mineral supplementation can be effectively achieved by adding a meager two tablespoons of a dried sea vegetable to a soup.

Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide Arthur C. Upton, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Dietary deficiencies can affect the sense of smell, particularly deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin b12, or zinc. Medications That Alter Smell Smell may be altered as a side effect of a number of medications, dietary supplements, and nose drops, including some antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, anticoagulants, and antihistamines. Cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatment to the head may also damage nerve cells that carry smell sensation to the brain. Environmental Agents That Alter Smell Many substances in the environment can interact and interfere with the sense of smell.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Pernicious anemia is treated with injections of vitamin b12. This successfully counteracts the effects of the disorder, but it does not actually cure it, so treatment must be continued for life. ¦ There is no treatment that can cure sickle cell anemia. Treatment focuses on managing the acute crises. During an episode, antibiotics and painkillers, possibly narcotics, may be prescribed. Occasionally, transfusions may be necessary to manage complications. ¦ Mild cases of thalassemia generally require no treatment. Severe cases are treated with periodic blood transfusions.

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay. See book keywords and concepts

Again, it is important to first determine underlying medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms, such as iron deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism, cardiac weakness, or vitamin b12 deficiency. Once you have addressed those areas, you can work to directly improve the circulation with herbs. In fact, it is very common for my patients to have circulation or blood problems that are not clearly defined by blood tests. It is equally common for me to see patients with various forms of fatigue and anemia who do not respond, for example, to simple iron supplements.

Naturopaths also recommend vitamin b12 injections as a useful addition. Gout Gout is a form of arthritis caused by an increase in the production of uric acid and its deposition in the joints, kidneys, and other tissues. It is often characterized by acute onset with severe pain. It frequently affects the big toe (up to 90% of all cases), especially in the first attack. The concentration of uric acid in the body is a compound total determined by the amount eaten (in foods), how much the body produces, and how much is excreted in the urine.

Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of NEW Natural Products that Will Help You Live Longer, Look Better, Stay Heathier, ... and Much More! Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Folic acid is another wonderful source of methyl groups, as is vitamin b12. Possible Benefits Reduces risk of heart disease. Prevents certain forms of cancer. Protects against Alzheimer's disease and depression. The Right Amount Take three 100-mg. tablets daily. Personal Advice Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseed oil, have also been shown to reduce the levels of homocysteine. Vanadyl Sulfate Facts Vanadyl sulfate is a biologically active form of vanadium, a trace mineral that mimics the action of the hormone insulin.

Eat and Heal (Foods That Can Prevent or Cure Many Common Ailments) the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing See book keywords and concepts

While most high-protein foods contain plenty of vitamin b12 and iron, they are low in other vitamins and minerals. Only a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains supplies the other nutrients that keep you healthy. Make digestion easier. Your body can digest and use animal protein more easily than plant protein. But be sure to avoid excess fat by choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Legumes are next easiest to digest, followed by grains and other plant sources.

Eat Right, Live Longer: Using the Natural Power of Foods to Age-Proof Your Body Neal Barnard, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Likewise, healthful sources of vitamin b12 are uncommon and supplements, as described on pages 231 to 232, are helpful. Also, some doctors now use vitamin and mineral supplements in the treatment of many illnesses. Aside from these uses, I do not normally recommend supplements. If, however, you decide to take them, here are some important suggestions: • First, supplements cannot make up for a poor diet, so start with an optimal diet (see guidelines in chapter 12). • Most of the benefits of supplements are gained on lower doses, for example, the quantities provided in a standard multivitamin.

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